FA Cup semi final draw

Which means presumably, the winner of Millwall/Tranmere v Sunderland will automatically go into the UEFA Cup (unless Arsenal or Man U have a major collapse in the Premiership and don't make the Champions league!)

Which means presumably, the winner of Millwall/Tranmere v Sunderland will automatically go into the UEFA Cup (unless Arsenal or Man U have a major collapse in the Premiership and don't make the Champions league!)

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Woopie doo! The prospect of a second rate club competing in a European competition fills me with so much joy!

Seriously though, what would be the ruling now? Long time ago but back in 1969 Swindon beat Arsenal in the League Cup Final. Even then, the winners usually went on to qualify for the Fairs Cup (as the UEFA Cup was then known) As Swindon were in the old Third Division at the time, they were not allowed to enter European competition and Arsenal took their place (and subsequently won the Fairs Cup the next season!)

If the 'impossible' (maybe not so impossible...) happened and Tranmere did get to the final against Arsenal or Man U, would they be allowed in the UEFA Cup next season? Anyone know the rules on this?

A friend of mine here at work had wondered about the possibility of Millwall drawing Galatasaray in the UEFA next season...... that'll provoke an outburst of peace and camaraderie amongst the fans! ;-)

A friend of mine here at work had wondered about the possibility of Millwall drawing Galatasaray in the UEFA next season...... that'll provoke an outburst of peace and camaraderie amongst the fans! ;-)

I remember Ipswich competing in the UEFA Cup the season after they were relegated to Division 1. This was only a couple of seasons ago though.
As for a 2nd Division club taking part, I can't see any problem. Tranmere's ground probably has much better facilities than some Eastern European grounds they might end up going to!

Even if a nationwide clubs ground isn't up to UEFA standard they can play their home games at another stadium anyway. UEFA don't have a problem with this. As it stands I believe the winners of the nationwide semi-final will qualify for the UEFA cup assuming both Arsenal and Man Utd qualify for the Champions League. The qualifying criteria are agreed between UEFA and the FA, in conjunction with the Premier League, at the start of the season.

I remember Ipswich competing in the UEFA Cup the season after they were relegated to Division 1. This was only a couple of seasons ago though.
As for a 2nd Division club taking part, I can't see any problem. Tranmere's ground probably has much better facilities than some Eastern European grounds they might end up going to!